The new framework, which places greater weight on curriculum content and less on outcomes, came into effect last September. However Ofsted worked in a year-long transition so that a judgment is made based on where schools currently are in implementing curriculum changes, rather than expecting them to be “fully ready”.
Under the transition, schools which have a “plan” to review their curriculum and can demonstrate “genuine action” to do so are not penalised.
Now Ofsted’s national director of education Sean Harford has said the grace period will be extended for another year, meaning schools will have this protection until July 2021.
“We know that a great curriculum does not just appear perfectly formed overnight. It takes a great deal of thought, preparation and work to plan it,” Harford wrote in a blog post today.
“I’m also aware, through conversations with the Association of School and College Leaders and the National Association of Head Teachers, that some heads and senior leaders are concerned about getting their curriculum to where they want it to be by this coming September. Some schools are further along their curriculum journey than others.